Author Interview: Rajni Arunkumar: Writer of: The Mother Of All Books

I had a very happy childhood. One of my favourite memories is those of
rainy day, when the school would close unexpectedly. The living room would be
converted to a temporary ‘dhobhi ghat’
with Mum trying desperately to dry our assorted uniforms and office clothes.
And of course, throw in a couple of umbrellas left unfurled to dry out, and it
was a wonderland for my brother and me. We’d imagine ourselves in all sorts of
places- Castle Greyskull, on a mission to Mars… and there’d be no end to our
adventures.

Also no end to my mum’s woes.

About
your education

I’m an architect by education, and an event manager and marketer by
profession.

What
career did you plan during your education days

I always wanted to be an architect (since I’d read the Fountainhead,
anyways), and I loved every minute of my course. I wanted to do my masters in
Set Designing and joined an event management course to follow that. I got
offered a job in events while I was still doing a course, and that’s how I
drifted into events. It was challenging, but so much fun – the excitement, the
last minute butterflies and of course meeting with a wide spectrum of people.
Made for brilliant fodder for my blog.

What
languages you can speak and write?

I can speak and write English, Hindi and Marathi. I’m Tamil, I can’t
really write Tamil very well but can speak it fluently and just about read it.
I also speak a smattering of Malayalam and Gujarati. I’m currently trying to
learn Romanian; my aim is to be able to read a book in Romanian by the end of
next year.

What
is your biggest source of inspiration in life

I think life itself. We always think our life will go one way, but it
seems to have a mind of its own. Life loves to throw surprises at you. How you
deal with them can either make you better or bitter.

What
is the biggest challenge you have faced? How did you overcome it?

I Think I’ve lead a largely privileged life. Spoilt, even. And I’m
deeply grateful that Somebody Up There has decided I’m not ready to face any
major challenges yet and is holding back the punches. (thank you!)

If
you had to live a day of your life as one of the living or dead personality,
who would it be and why?

I’d like to be Ayn Rand for a day – just to get into her head, to find
out why she thought the way she did. I disagree with a lot of her beliefs, but
to be able to go against the tide and voice a different opinion takes a lot of
courage.

What
is your favourite genre and why?

Humour. I believe if you can make a person laugh out loud, and make him
or her forget their worries for a bit, that’s all the medicine you need. The
world would be a nicer place with less road rage if people read more humour.

When
did you start writing?What
is the purpose of your writing?

I’ve been writing since I was very young – not with the idea of ever
getting published, but for the sheer joy of it.
I took to blogging very enthusiastically because it was a great platform
to share my work, and that’s how the idea for a book came about.

Writing, I believe, is a very selfish act. I don’t think anyone would
write if it didn’t give them pleasure. It’s the same for me. I write simply
because I love it. I have a compulsion to put down my thoughts into words. And
while I’m doing that, if I can please and amuse and entertain a few people
along the way, that’s fantastic.

Which
of your work has been published so far? Would you like to share a synopsis
of your work?

So far it’s just been the one book- ‘the Mother of all Books’. Although
the journey to get it published deserves a tome all of its own.

What
are your forthcoming writings?

I’m currently contributing to a photobook on Romania, along with a bunch
of talented expat ladies for select charities. We hope the book will reflect
the beauty of Romania and hopefully generate enough money for our charities to
make a difference. I’m also working on a
second book which picks up where ‘the Mother of all Books’ left off.

What
are your future plans?

Apart from writing and dabbling in photography, I hope to someday write
a travel book about the places I’ve visited. Other than that, kids, husband and
never knowing where we’re going next keeps me occupied.

What
four top most things you take care of while writing a book?

1.Grammar

2.Is it interesting to me? Would I read it?

3.Keep it simple

4.What is the medium (blogs, articles, books,
journals, etc)?

Your
dream destination on Earth?

I’d love to visit the islands of Hawaii someday, and maybe have an
adventure holiday in New Zealand.

Your
origin of birth and other countries you have visited/ stayed. What best things
you liked in these countries around the globe?

I’m an Indian by birth and only moved out of the country less than a
decade ago. But both the husband and I love to travel and we never lost an
opportunity to visit new destinations. Our favourite cities include Bruges,
Paris, Venice and Lucerne. Of course we have yet to visit the Americas to our
favourites might feature new names in a few years.

Your
favourite time of the day?

Evenings – they are always magical, whatever the season. In summers it
means a walk in the park, barbeques and a picnic under the stars. In the
winters, cuddling up in front of a warm fire with a hot cuppa. Or a visit to
the Christmas markets to soak in the festive spirit.

Your
zodiac/ sunsign?

I’m an Aquarian.

Your
favourite book and why?

I would have to say Aunts aren’t gentlemen by Wodehouse, because that
was the first book I read which had me really laughing out loud – I was about
12 then, but knew immediately that I’d stumbled on to something magical. I
hunted down and read every Wodehouse available in the local library then. Terry
Pratchett – my other favourite, was a later discovery, and I’m glad it was
later because I’m able to appreciate the subtleties much more, his way of
delivering some harsh realities with a liberal does of humour is fantastic.

Your
favourite food?

Mum’s food doesn’t count, right? Because that would win hands down.

But I do love my pizzas. And Hakka Chinese. Nothing like Indo- Chinese
on a cold winter night to warm you up. Or a good north Indian thali to cheer
you up when memories of home hit you… or some cheesy, delish Mexican to spice
the night up – if you haven’t guessed by now, I’m a bit of a foodie. That’s one
of the best things about travelling places, I think- discovering the local
cuisine!

Some
quickies:

Sun
or Moon,- Sun

Laughter
or Smile- Laughing. Out loud. Until your tummy hurts.

Morning
or Evening- evening (I know, although I love the sun, I’m SO not a morning person)

Coffee
or Tea- Cutting chai. With Vada Pav

Mountain
or Sea- I’m a beach bum through and through

Long
Drive or Short Drive,- that depends doesn’t it? Is it the journey
that’s important or the destination?

Silence
or Conversation,- conversation. Always.

Water
or Fire,- water. Preferably warm.

Air
or Earth, - Air. Freedom.

Mars
or Jupiter, - both sound good to me – you providing the space shuttle?

State
your signature line/ tagline/ best quote:

You can fool some of the people all the time and all the people some of
the time but you can NEVER fool your mother.